Putin: In addition to the current agenda, we also plan to raise the issue of education in the G8. In our opinion, the time has come to focus on ways to improve the quality and effectiveness of national education systems and professional training. We must find tools for encouraging the international business community to increase investment into this sector.
This year the Group of Eight will focus on ways of improving the quality of professional training and making it more up-to-date and relevant, announced Andrei Volkov, aide to the Russian education minister and head of the expert group on education initiatives within Russia's G8 Presidency.
"It will consider issues related to the growth pace of higher education and professional training during periods of rapid development," he said. It will also touch upon the problem of making teachers and students more mobile. Another priority will be "to continue the Education for All program designed for developing countries," Volkov said.
On March 13-14, Moscow will host a meeting of the international coordinating committee of the Fast Track Initiative. This will be followed by a meeting of international experts on March 20-21, and a conference of G8 education ministers on June 1-2.